Helping Our Customers

Sustainability has always been at the heart of Eaton's products; since we help our customers use electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently and safely. Increasingly, that heritage and reputation have become a marketing advantage as customers seek to partner with us to develop more efficient—and productive—products and services. Eaton has partnered with the following customers to enhance Eaton’s positive impact on global sustainability with our products.

2010

Takaoka Electric Manufacturing Company — Electric Vehicle Charging
Takaoka Electric Manufacturing Company, Ltd. is collaborating with Eaton to develop and launch DC Quick Chargers, a key component in the charging of electric vehicle battery packs. The collaboration will enable Eaton to provide a complete line of charging stations across residential, commercial and industrial applications in North America.

Chery Automobile Company — Supercharger Debuts in China
Eaton’s innovative, fuel-saving supercharger made its debut in China on selected new engines on three vehicle models from the country’s leading independent automaker, Chery Automobile Co., Ltd.: the Chery 1.6S Tiggo, the 1.3S A3 and the Riich 1.3S G3. This latest Eaton supercharger application is the first on a Chinese–produced vehicle.

UPS — 200 Hybrid Electric Delivery Trucks Deployed
UPS expanded its fleet of alternative-fuel vehicles with 200 next-generation hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) for use in Austin, Houston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Long Island, Minneapolis and Louisville. Before this deployment, UPS operated 50 hybrid electrics and roughly 20,000 other low-emission and alternative-fuel vehicles. The 200 new HEV delivery trucks are expected to reduce fuel consumption by roughly 176,000 gallons a year compared to an equivalent number of traditional diesel trucks. The hybrids also should reduce CO2 emissions by 1,786 metric tons annually. The new hybrid power system utilizes a conventional diesel engine combined with a battery pack. The small diesel recharges the battery pack and adds power when needed.

U.S. Postal Service — Eaton Tapped For Its Energy Efficiency and Conservation Expertise  
Eaton Corporation has secured an Indefinite Job Order Contract from the United States Postal Service Eastern Facilities Service Office for energy conservation projects at postal facilities in North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. The scope of this initiative includes energy engineering, audits and implementation of energy conservation opportunities including lighting retrofits, lighting controls, minor heating, ventilating and air conditioning improvements, and compressed air systems improvements.

Solaris Bus & Coach — Eaton Hybrid Growth in Europe Gains Momentum with Commercialization of Solaris Urbino 12 City Bus  
In Pozan, Poland, Eaton Corporation and Solaris Bus & Coach announced the commercial availability of the Solaris Urbino 12 hybrid city bus that utilizes Eaton’s innovative electric hybrid power system to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

U.S. Department of Energy — Eaton and HP Selected to Improve Energy Efficiency in IT Systems; Stimulus Grant to Fund Program  
Eaton Corporation is collaborating with HP on a federally funded project to improve energy efficiency in information technology systems. Among 14 projects chosen by the U.S. Department of Energy, the joint proposal from Eaton and HP was selected as the third-largest grant recipient, at $7.4 million. The joint project from Eaton and HP will develop a fully enclosed IT rack system that provides its own internal power and cooling. High voltage and chilled water will act as the primary inputs to the system, and it will also accept alternative energy power sources, such as wind and solar power. A major benefit of this system is a 38 percent reduction in energy use to support a 100 kilowatt (kW) IT load, which equals a reduction in 400 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

2009

FedEx — Hybrid-Electric Fleet Expanded by 50 Percent With Groundbreaking Conversion Program 
FedEx added 92 hybrid-electric trucks to its delivery fleet—the first standard FedEx delivery trucks converted to hybrid-electric systems—increasing the FedEx fleet of hybrid-electric vehicles from 172 to 264. The FedEx hybrid-electric fleet has logged more than 4 million miles of revenue service since being introduced in 2004, reducing fuel use by 150,000 gallons and carbon dioxide emissions by 1,521 metric tons, which is equivalent to removing 279 cars from the road annually. The converted hybrids were developed by Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation and Eaton Corporation, which provided the hybrid-electric systems.  The standard FedEx trucks used in the retrofit program were 2000 or 2001 models with 300,000 to 500,000 miles driven.  Thus the conversion program not only reduces pollution but also extends the life of the vehicles, helping to eliminate waste production and creating a reduce-and-reuse program.

Volkswagen — First Hybrid Application Of TVS® Supercharger On 2010 Volkswagen Touareg; Fuel Economy Improved 17-25 Percent  
The first hybrid application of Eaton’s Twin Vortices Series® (TVS®) supercharger is on the 2010 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid. The Touareg Hybrid features a supercharged 3.0L TSI V6 engine that's shared with Volkswagen’s Audi brand and matched with a new eight-speed automatic transmission and an electric-hybrid system to provide 17-25 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to a conventional Touareg during city driving, due to the hybrid system. The Eaton TVS supercharger is an all-new Roots-type positive displacement supercharger that features twin four-lobe rotors twisted 160 degrees. The intermeshing, high-speed rotor design pumps air directly into the engine’s intake system. When mixed with fuel this creates increased power. By comparison, the original Eaton supercharger design features three lobes twisted 60 degrees. The fourth lobe and added twist, when combined with redesigned air inlet and outlet ports, creates a smooth, highly efficient flow of air into the engine.

Wal-Mart — New Hybrid Trucks, Alternative Fuels  
To build a more sustainable trucking fleet, Wal-Mart announced it is testing five Peterbilt Model 386 heavy-duty hybrid trucks with diesel-electric hybrid power systems developed by Eaton Corporation and PACCAR. The trucks are based in Wal-Mart’s Dallas, Houston, Apple Valley, Calif., Atlanta and Washington/Baltimore regions.

2008

Waste Management — Testing Industry’s First Hybrid Waste-Collection Vehicles
Waste Management, Inc., North America’s largest waste management company, announced field tests of the first prototype parallel hydraulic hybrid truck to be deployed in a waste-collection vehicle. Four parallel hydraulic hybrid-diesel collection trucks were incorporated into Waste Management’s fleet in Fort Worth to study and optimize the hybrid system’s efficiency and reliability. This system is the first among many technologies Waste Management expects to test and implement. Hybrid vehicles hold great promise for the waste industry because collection vehicles have many cycles of braking and acceleration along a given route. The four Peterbilt 320 vehicles in Fort Worth use a Hydraulic Launch Assist™ system developed by Eaton Corporation to capture and store energy during braking, which not only improves efficiency but reduces wear on brake pads. The stored energy is transferred to accelerate the vehicle to the next pickup location, reducing fuel consumption and wear on the engine. Though hybrid technologies have been successfully deployed in automobiles and light trucks, Class 8 vocational vehicles, a category that includes waste trucks, pose additional challenges to hybrid engine design. Among the largest vehicles on the road, Class 8 vehicles require a robust drive train that can handle heavy loads, and have multiple systems – for compaction and lifting – that draw power from the engine, complicating hybrid design.

UPS — First In Industry To Purchase Hydraulic Hybrid Vehicles
As part of a public-private partnership to increase the commercial availability and use of alternative fuel vehicles, UPS purchased hydraulic hybrid vehicles that promise dramatic fuel savings and environmental benefits. The technology, originally developed in a federal laboratory of the Environmental Protection Agency and then fine-tuned with Eaton, stores energy by compressing hydraulic fluid under pressure in a large chamber. UPS was the only company in its industry asked to road-test the technology in 2006 and in 2008 became the first delivery company to place an order for hydraulic hybrid vehicles.

Audi — Selects Eaton TVS™ Supercharger To Power Fuel-Efficient V6 
Eaton’s Twin Vortices Series™ (TVS™) supercharger was chosen by Audi in 2008 to power the automaker’s all-new 3.0 liter TFSI V6 engine. “Audi engineers did extensive comparative testing and found our new TVS supercharger provided superior throttle response and low-end torque coveted by drivers,” said Joao Faria, regional president – Americas for the Hydraulics Group.  “Additionally, when paired with direct injection and enhanced transmission ratio, the TVS supercharger helps the engine achieve 290 hp with an average fuel economy of nearly 24 miles per gallon.” The supercharged 3.0 liter TFSI V6 is a member of Audi’s family of ultramodern V engines. Audi has a tradition of developing supercharged engines dating back to Grand Prix racing cars in the 1930s.

Comverge Incorporated – Helping Customers “Go Green” with Electrical Efficiency

Comverge, Inc., a leading clean capacity provider through demand response and energy efficiency, through their Enerwise subsidiary, have entered into a strategic alliance with Eaton to bring demand response and managed energy service offerings to Eaton and its customers. The offerings include a combination of strategic consulting and energy efficiency solutions. By combining Eaton’s electrical products such as Pow-R-CommandTM lighting controls and Power Xpert® metering with Comverge demand response and energy efficiency programs, we are helping our customers use energy more efficiently.

Coca-Cola Enterprises – Green Beverage Delivery
Coca-Cola agreed to purchase 120 new trucks in 2008 powered by Eaton’s hybrid electric drivetrain systems. The Coca-Cola order represents the largest North American commercial order to date for Eaton’s hybrid systems and follows the beverage company’s purchase of 20 trucks with Eaton hybrid power systems in 2007. Extensive testing and evaluations conducted by Coca-Cola Enterprises found that Eaton’s hybrid-electric drivetrain equipped trucks decreased emissions by roughly 32 percent and fuel consumption by up to 37 percent as compared to conventionally-powered trucks in Coca-Cola’s current fleet. Coca-Cola also reported lower maintenance costs on the hybrid-powered trucks. Dave Leasure, corporate director of fleet procurement for Coca-Cola Enterprises, states, “In addition to the environmentally friendly advantages that hybrid vehicles deliver, we are also happy to report that driver acceptance has been highly favorable, especially in high start-and-stop applications. The hybrid drive units have been performing very well in communicating with the electronic engines, always giving us the necessary torque and horsepower when it is needed.”


2007

China’s Beiqi Foton Motor Company – Bringing Hybrid City Buses to 2008 Olympics, 2010 Shanghai World Expo, and Guangzhou Public Transport

Eaton was selected to provide hybrid power systems for two prototype buses to be built by Beiqi Foton AUV Bus Company. The buses were field tested in major Chinese cities, including Shanghai and Beijing, in 2006. Official testing conducted by the China National Bus Quality Certification and Testing Center show that the two buses can reduce fuel consumption by 21 percent and 37 percent respectively – with equivalent reductions in pollution-causing emissions – compared with equivalent conventional diesel buses over the standard Chinese city bus cycle.

In 2008, Eaton and Beiqi Foton Bus Company delivered 300 hybrid diesel-electric transit buses to Guangzhou Yiqi Bus, which is the largest installment to date. Guangzhou Yiqi operates approximately half of the transit buses in Guangzhou, a city of 12 million people in China’s Guangdong province. “Innovative Eaton technologies such as our hybrid power systems are generating improved fuel economy and significant environmental benefits,” said Jim McGill, vice president, Asia Pacific.  “We look forward to supplying more of these systems to serve the growing Chinese market.”

Western Michigan University – Developing Digital Hydraulic Hybrid Drive System for U.S. Army Vehicles

In November 2007, the House of Representatives approved $2 million for Eaton Research to develop advanced digital hydraulic hybrid drive systems in U.S. Army vehicles. The goal of the project, which is being done in conjunction with Western Michigan University (WMU), is to develop smaller and lighter drivetrain components, increase fuel efficiency by 50 percent or more and improve traction and stability for Army tactical vehicles.

US EPA, US Army, United Parcel Service, and International Truck and Engine Corp. – Hybrid Diesel Delivery
Eaton is partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Army, United Parcel Service (UPS), and International Truck and Engine Corporation to launch the first-ever series hydraulic hybrid diesel urban delivery vehicle. In laboratory testing, this patented hybrid technology achieved a 60 to 70 percent improvement in fuel economy and more than a 40 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to a conventional UPS delivery truck.

Peterbilt and Wal-Mart – Aerodynamic Hybrid Heavy-Duty Vehicle
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., which operates the nation’s second largest private fleet, is supporting development of new hybrid technologies by helping to validate the concept and refine the final design of the advanced hybrid technologies developed jointly by Peterbilt Motors Company and Eaton Corporation.  These technologies have been integrated into an aerodynamically styled heavy-duty vehicle for superior fuel efficiency and greater environmental stewardship. Peterbilt and Eaton have previously partnered to develop hybrid electric Class 6-7 vehicle platforms and Class 8 hybrid hydraulic vehicles. With a successful test and evaluation program, the heavy-duty hybrid electric power system will be available in 2009.

PACCAR – Hybrid Technology for Medium and Heavy-Duty Commercial Vehicles
PACCAR, a leader in the integration of diesel-electric hybrid technology, and Eaton have entered into an agreement to jointly develop proprietary hybrid technology for heavy-duty commercial vehicles in North America. The innovative new products will be introduced exclusively in Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks in the North American market, targeted for initial production by the end of 2009. PACCAR and Eaton developed the technology utilized in previously announced Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF medium-duty hybrid trucks launched in 2008. Kenworth and Peterbilt have found that their hybrids can provide up to a 30 percent improvement in fuel economy in pickup-and-delivery applications and up to 50 or 60 percent improvement in utility configurations. "There is tremendous interest in our Kenworth hybrids, and excellent results have been reported by customers that were part of last year's limited hybrid production," said Gary Moore, Kenworth assistant general manager for marketing and sales.

Zhejiang University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Xi’an Jiaotong University – Research on Advanced Technologies and Renewable Energies
Eaton has signed a memoranda of understanding with three top universities in China respectively to sponsor research programs and develop advanced technologies for its core businesses. Eaton and the universities will develop technologies in advanced hydraulics systems, power electronics, power supply infrastructure and management, advanced powertrain, materials and renewable energies.

Volkswagen – “Maximum Power. Minimal Consumption.” TSI Engine
Eaton technology has helped German automaker Volkswagen see green – strong sales and improved environmental performance – thanks to its TSI direct-injection gasoline engines powered by a half-size Eaton Roots-type supercharger and single-stage turbocharger creating a 38 miles-to-a-gallon system.  The engine captured the Best New Engine title at the International Engine-of-the-Year Awards in 2006. With the Eaton SuperTurbo system, the two 2007 TSI engines – in 138 horsepower and 168 horsepower – deliver the power of a larger engine with the efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions of a much smaller unit. The result: greater fuel economy and substantially reduced costs.

Airbus – World’s Largest Aircraft with Fuel Efficiency: A380

With seating for up to 555 passengers, the Airbus 380 is the world’s largest commercial aircraft. It’s also one of the most fuel-efficient, thanks to Eaton. Working closely with Airbus, Eaton designed and created a groundbreaking 5,000-pounds-per-square-inch (psi) hydraulic system for the massive airliner, compared to the 3,000 psi systems on other commercial airplanes. The innovative high-pressure design—pioneered by Eaton on military aircraft—helped reduce the weight of the A380 by one metric ton, making it far more economical to operate without compromising power, performance, or control. And the aircraft’s significantly reduced noise and emission levels will help to minimize effects on the environment, while its lightweight materials also make it highly fuel-efficient.


2006

Altergy – Complete Stationary Fuel Cell Systems
On September 8, 2006, Eaton and California-based Altergy Systems announced two agreements creating a global collaboration to provide complete fuel cell power solutions for industries needing reliable primary or back-up power. Telecommunications will be an important market for these solutions. Through this collaboration, Altergy's advanced, low-cost fuel cell engines will be integrated with Eaton's electrical control and power distribution products, to create complete stationary fuel cell systems. Additionally, Eaton will install, commission, start up, monitor and service Altergy fuel cell products and systems at customer sites worldwide through the Electrical Group's network of service providers.

Advanced Heavy Hybrid Propulsion System (AHHPS) Program – Hybrid Propulsion System for Delivery Vehicles
In September 2002, Eaton was awarded a $7.1 million contract to lead a project in the Advanced Heavy Hybrid Propulsion System (AHHPS) Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and its National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL). Through this program Eaton, in partnership with International Truck and Engine, integrated a heavy hybrid propulsion system for installation in a prototype UPS urban package delivery vehicle.

General Motors – Displacement on Demand

In order to save fuel and improve efficiency for drivers all over the country, Eaton and General Motors Corp. developed Displacement on Demand, an innovative train technology that improves the fuel economy of V8-powered vehicles by as much as 12%. Through the interaction of two key components — a deactivating roller follower (DRF) and the lifter oil manifold assembly (LOMA) — Displacement on Demand enables the engine to seamlessly deactivate half of the engine’s cylinders when full power is not needed, improving fuel efficiency. The unique system changes the engine’s displacement based on the performance required, and can shut down cylinders without any discernible change in performance. GM introduced Displacement on Demand in the 2005 Chevy TrailBlazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL mid-size SUVs. For the 2006 model year, GM offered the fuel-saving technology on nine different models, including the new Chevrolet Impala SS, Monte Carlo SS, and Chevrolet Tahoe. It is also available on GM full-size pickup trucks.


2005

Environmental Defense and FedEx Corp – Hybrid Electric Delivery Pioneers

Eaton has partnered with Environmental Defense and FedEx Corp. to develop low-emission, hybrid electric powered delivery vehicles. The FedEx OptiFleet E700 hybrid electric delivery vehicle decreases particulate emissions by up to 90 percent, reduces smog-causing emissions by about 75 percent and travels 50 percent farther on a gallon of fuel, reducing fuel costs by one-third. These vehicles are currently being tested in several cities in real world situations. Environmental Defense, a national nonprofit organization, partners with businesses, governments and communities to find practical environmental solutions.


2004

Peterbilt – Hybrid Refuse Vehicles

Peterbilt Motors Company and Eaton teamed up to produce hydraulic launch assist technology that recycles a truck's kinetic energy to conserve fuel and assist in acceleration, boosting productivity. "The technology could have a significant impact on improving the operating costs of customers involved in stop-and-go applications, such as refuse," says Peterbilt Chief Engineer Craig Brewster. "Hydraulic Launch Assist can be quickly tailored for maximum fuel economy or enhanced productivity through quicker acceleration and shorter cycle times. Additionally, the system increases brake life and reduces engine and transmission wear, potentially extending component life and lowering service costs. It is also more environmentally friendly by decreasing exhaust emissions and noise."


2003

U.S. Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy – Wireless Sensoring for Energy Management
Eaton has worked with the Department of Energy (DOE) and numerous DOE National laboratories on a number of research programs. Currently, Eaton has a program with the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy on "Wireless Sensor Networks for Advanced Energy Management." The goal of this program is to demonstrate energy savings in electrical motors, which account for 23% of all electricity sold in the United States and consume 71% of all electrical energy used in industrial process systems. Eaton engineers predict that widespread deployment of the technology in US industry could reduce energy consumption by 11-18% and industrial emissions by 25% by 2020.

U.S. Department of Energy – Hybrid Propulsion, Friction and Wear Reduction for Trucks

Department of Energy (DOE) awarded Eaton a $3.1 million contract to develop hybrid propulsion systems for trucks and other heavy duty vehicles. Eaton also has DOE programs in "Friction and Wear Reduction in Trucks." The friction and wear program is targeted at reducing energy losses on large (Class 8) truck transmission and axles. Eaton engineers expect that this program will achieve a 4% efficiency improvement, which equates to approximately 1.6 Billion gallons of diesel fuel saved per year for the Truck heavy duty fleet.


2002

Mercedes-Benz – Increasing Engine Efficiency, Fuel Consumption and Emissions in M-271 Engine
The Mercedes-Benz M-271 engine includes features such as Lanchester balancing shafts, supercharging and direct or port injection variants, producing a high technology four-cylinder engine design. Eaton has worked with Mercedes on this development program to ensure that the M-271 engine provides significant improvements in efficiency, leading to excellent fuel consumption and emissions performance while maintaining high levels of torque and power output. Mating the Eaton supercharger to this four-cylinder engine provides the performance of a typical six-cylinder engine, with up to 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions levels.